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Catalytic conversion of cellulose into polyols using carbon-nanotube-supported monometallic Pd and bimetallic Pd–Fe catalysts

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Abstract

A series of carbon nanotube (CNT)-supported monometallic Pd and bimetallic Pd–Fe catalysts were synthesized and employed for catalytic hydrogenolysis of cellulose into polyols, including hexitol, ethylene glycol (EG), 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PG), and glycerol (Gly). The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were characterized by nitrogen physical adsorption measurements, X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The total yield of hexitol, EG, 1,2-PG, and Gly in hydrolytic hydrogenation of cellulose was 37, 55, and 53% for Pd/CNTs, Pd–Fe/CNTs (Pd:Fe = 1:1), and Pd–Fe/CNTs (Pd:Fe = 1:2), respectively. Addition of Fe to Pd significantly modified the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles and their catalytic performance, especially regarding hexitol selectivity. The promoting effect of Fe, especially for hexitol selectivity, compared with the monometallic catalyst is due to the fact that incorporation of Fe may stabilize Pd0 nanoparticles and lead to downshift of the d-band center of Pd metal nanoparticles by charge transfer from Fe to Pd. Recycling experimental results showed that leaching of Fe resulted in a significant decrease in the hexitol yield obtained using the Pd–Fe/CNTs after the first recycle, further demonstrating that Fe element plays a promoting role for hexitol formation.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 31200445) and the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (grant nos. BK2012416 and BK20140972). This work was also financially supported by the Technology Foundation for Selected Overseas Chinese Scholar, Ministry of Personnel of China and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jiangsu Key Lab of Biomass-Based Green Fuels and Chemicals, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China

    Siquan Xu, Xiaopei Yan & Haian Xia

  2. School of Agricultural Equipment Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China

    Quan Bu

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  1. Siquan Xu
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  2. Xiaopei Yan
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Correspondence to Quan Bu or Haian Xia.

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Xu, S., Yan, X., Bu, Q. et al. Catalytic conversion of cellulose into polyols using carbon-nanotube-supported monometallic Pd and bimetallic Pd–Fe catalysts. Cellulose 24, 2403–2413 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-017-1275-0

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